13 Movie Protagonists You're Desperate To See Lose

13. Norman - Don't Breathe 2

Occasionally, sequels will turn former villains into the hero. Sometimes, this works out well, as in Terminator 2: Judgement Day. And sometimes, it works out horribly - such was the case with Don't Breathe 2. 

In 2016's excellent Don't Breathe, blind Gulf War veteran Norman (terrifically played by Avatar's Stephen Lang) was a ferocious and terrifying killer who made for one of the finest horror movie villains of the past decade. The delayed 2021 sequel, on the other hand, took his character in a woefully misjudged direction. This time around, he's a morally ambiguous protagonist trying to protect his adopted daughter from a criminal gang. 

Essentially, this movie will probably only work for those who haven't seen the first film. Otherwise, it is nigh-on impossible to root for the deranged thug who raped and murdered his way through Don't Breathe, especially as the sequel doesn't bother to acknowledge Norman's violent past aside from a brief, throwaway line during the final act. 

In many other departments, Don't Breathe 2 is just fine. It is a well-directed revenge thriller with some punchy outbreaks of violence, so there was potential here for sure. More than anything else, this particular case is an example of how just one misjudged creative choice can sink an entire film.